Virtual Voices: Brentwood Middle School & blue hair

When Brentwood Middle School sent a girl home from school because she had dyed her hair blue, it got our attention. Greeley-Evans School District 6 has a policy that prevents students from wearing blue and red to school because the colors have strong gang affiliations. Brentwood Middle School extended the ban to hair colors. The school put that policy in its handbook, which means everyone should have known blue hair wouldn't be allowed.

While no one believes Ariel Davila, 13, is a gang member — by all accounts she is a good student and fun-loving kid — she did violate the policy, and school officials made the right decision when they sent her home. We all know how important safety at school is, and school administrators everywhere must take gangs seriously.

It's a tough lesson, but we think Brentwood officials got it right.

Here's what some Tribune readers who commented on the story on Facebook had to say:

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» IF MY KID'S school did this, I'd be livid. My daughter is Latina. I would be wringing necks and taking names and going to court. You best believe. I sent my daughter to school today after she had fun dying her hair. If I got a phone call, I'd probably be raising hell. I don't blame the parents for taking it this far. Hope they go further than just the media.

— Jennifer Goin

» IT'S REALLY SAD that all the kids have to pay the price for a few bad seeds. I think those who have gang ties and show colors should be singled out and punished. Who cares about being politically correct. All the kids shouldn't have to be punished and limited because a few make bad choices.

— Christina Lopez Montoya

» FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION or not, rules are in place to keep kids from doing something that puts them in jeopardy. You have every right to tattoo a target on your forehead for freedom of speech, but if you get shot it's your own fault. I feel like these rules are just in place to protect kids from people who want to use colors, symbols, et cetera, as excuses to hurt someone.

— Kati Leigh Brown

» BRENTWOOD IS A great school that brings comfort through rules and routine for kids who need it most. Most well behaved kids I have ever witnessed.

— Jennifer Larson

The Tribune will periodically publish some of the reactions to the news that our readers post on social media. Friend The Tribune on Facebook and follow @GreeleyTribune on Twitter for more chances to sound off.